Hevesi betrays taxpayers' trust

Wednesday

Oct 25, 2006 at 2:00 AM

The campaign for state comptroller was gliding along under the radar as the incumbent, Democrat Alan Hevesi, banked on his name recognition and large campaign fund to avoid debates with his little-known Republican opponent, J. Christopher Callaghan. But then Callaghan did something very much in keeping with the job he is seeking. He dug around in Hevesi's financial records and discovered the comptroller had been using a state chauffeur to drive around his wife, but had neglected to repay state taxpayers for the service.

The campaign for state comptroller was gliding along under the radar as the incumbent, Democrat Alan Hevesi, banked on his name recognition and large campaign fund to avoid debates with his little-known Republican opponent, J. Christopher Callaghan. But then Callaghan did something very much in keeping with the job he is seeking. He dug around in Hevesi's financial records and discovered the comptroller had been using a state chauffeur to drive around his wife, but had neglected to repay state taxpayers for the service.

Monday, the state Ethics Commission, which had advised Hevesi in 2003 that he should pay for the personal driver, accused the comptroller of violating state law. It said the $83,000 he had belatedly repaid the state was probably too little, never mind too late, and it referred the case to the state Legislature for action. It hasn't done that with a state officeholder in 19 years. The Legislature can fine Hevesi, suspend him or remove him from office.

The problem is, with legislators all home campaigning, nothing is likely to happen until after Election Day, which is two weeks away. Hevesi, with an otherwise distinguished record of accomplishment in Albany, does not agree with the Ethics Commission conclusions. He has apologized and offered no excuses, He is still seen as a shoo-in for re-election.

Nonetheless, with his admission of guilt, the fact he had been told by the Ethics Commission not to do what he did anyway and the further fact that the same situation arose when he was comptroller for New York City, this newspaper cannot in good conscience recommend a vote for Hevesi. As the financial watchdog for state taxpayers, Hevesi has made a reputation for pointing out wasteful or improper actions taken by public bodies involving public funds. Locally, he detailed the wasteful building of a new high school by the Sullivan West School District and cost overruns at the Ulster County Jail. But when the watchdog is padding his own finances with their money, taxpayers must wonder whom to trust. In Albany, with all the talk about reform, the question echoes even louder.

Callaghan is a former longtime treasurer of Saratoga County. He cannot match Hevesi's resume in experience or accomplishments, but Callaghan points to his broad experience with local governments and his understanding of how the state passes costs along to local governments as reasons to support him. He also wants public review of legislative member items.

We have no problem recommending a vote for Callaghan under these circumstances, although it troubles us to see someone in Hevesi's position put a stellar career in jeopardy this way. News reports have noted that the chauffeur request arose because Hevesi's wife is seriously ill and has been for some time. His concern for her health and safety may weigh on legislators' decisions on what to do with him.

There is apparently some confusion as to what the proper procedure is for replacing the comptroller, if that is the Legislature's decision. Hevesi also faces a criminal probe by the Albany County district attorney.

For now, we feel frustrated and betrayed. We can only hope that Hevesi, should he survive this scandal and remain in office, will recognize how fortunate that would be. Our overriding concern is that whoever is the state comptroller next year will conduct state business without a hint of impropriety.

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